Over 36 births

[LittleDoveLove]

Hello
Is anyone over 36 had a VB for their first child and not had a episiotomy, tear, suction thing or forceps?
I have asked advice on Elective C before and am swaying towards that due to ibs so terrified of forceps and anything that can risk damage to bowel muscle area. But want to ask other people first as you don't get any real life stats or sense from midwives who just want to reduce costs for c sections and don't give you honest comparison for my age and risks of both VB and Elcs to make a proper informed decision. I am unsure if I just happen to know a unlucky bunch of over 35s with their VBs.

Yup, me. Gave birth in Sept at almost 40. Straight forward VB. pains started at 1.30am and she arrived at 0650! I had a v small internal tear that has s couple of stitches, but I didn't notice it at all, has no pain from and am back to normal down there. Totally possible at 36, good luck!

Thank you, hopefully you aren't the only one! X

Did you do hypnobirthing or anything to help with that @DailyFailAreTwats? Was your baby big? X

I had DD a few days before my 37th birthday.

I had a natural delivery, with entonox and diamorphine. DD had a 98 percentile head circumference and I ended up with a very small grade 2 tear that needed 2 stitches and gave me no pain or trouble afterwards.

If you have bowel issues, the consultant may recommend a c-section. I suggest talking to them because ‘elective’ requests can often be ignored

I was induced because I'm 43 but had a vaginal birth. I got some 2nd degree tears from my vagina going forward but they healed with no issues.

She was 7lb 7. I do recommend hypno birthing. Try the online course Positive Hypno Birthing. Bloody brilliant. Xx

I’m almost 36. I was induced and ended up having a quick labour and delivery with a straightforward* 2nd degree tear but no interventions or pain relief.

*insofar as tearing yourself down there ever seems straightforward !!

Yup.

Natural home birth. No pain relief. No tears. I did use an epi-no and think it really helped.

Also hypnobirthing helps get your mind in the right place.

Hi @Pereie I've never heard of an epi-no are they expensive? Did you use any of the massage oil? Too or just the epi-no?

38 and a natural straight forward birth. Small tear with no need for stitches.

42 this time. Cacking myself because they want to give me a sweep at 37 weeks and induce at 40 weeks. I'm otherwise low risk but fearing that one intervention will lead to another. Desperately seeking old wives tales to bring on labour at 37 weeks!!!!!

Trust your body. The more you can relax the easier you will cope. Easier said than done I know. Try to get some hypnobirthing techniques under your belt if you can. Good luck!!

@LittleDoveLove it was about £100. Overpriced but worth it. I think aniball is cheaper but does the same thing.

It really helped me mentally prepare for the feeling of crowning too. Took all the anxiety out of it.

Not me as I was 34, although only a small tear and no real issues, very straightforward birth. My friend had her first at 38 and second at 40 and had no tears or problems, both good births. Think she did the perineal massage and she also said about really focussing on going with your body on each push rather than trying to hard to push .. although easier said than done, I found pushing frustrating as DD would start to appear then I'd be tired and she would go back in everyone is different. Do you have problems with your bowels anyway?

Straightforward VB at 36. Needed a couple of stitches for a small tear but that was no problem.

1st birth at 37 no forceps/stitches/tearing at all.

2nd birth at 38 no forceps/stitches/tearing at all. And that birth was only 36 minutes!

Hi @annlee3817 yes I have ibs. When I have an episode it is difficult to manage and I don't have much time to find a bathroom. My consultant has said although not a medical reason she is happy to give an elective if I want one as a 3/4 degree tear or forceps is a risk for me with the situation going forward. At present it is manageable but muscle weakness from those elements could make it not so. So it's quite stressful for me. I have a job where I am around a lot of people so I really don't want to risk any form of Incontinence that could be brought on when it's currently manageable time wise. I am scare of surgery though to. It's quite stressful :(

You can get hypnobirthing techniques designed for c sections, my friend actually did a hypnobirthing class and said the calming techniques really helped during her c section. I used the Maggie Howell Cds for preparing for labour, she does a c section version, can't recommend her enough

www.amazon.co.uk/Prepare-Caesarean-Hypnobirthing-Giving-Hypnotherapy/dp/1910756792?tag=mumsnetforum-21

Thank you 😊